Basic protective measures against the new Coronavirus

Coronavirus has travelled wide and far from China where the outbreak of the virus began. COVID-19 is causing several deaths and the World over it is spreading.

It is better to keep track of the latest information on the COVID-19 outbreak, which organizations such as WHO websites have released as well as via national and local public health authorities. COVID-19 is still affecting most people in China with some outbreaks in other countries. Most people who become infected experience mild illness and recover, but it can be more severe for others. To protect oneself from coronavirus one need to take care of one’s health and protect others by doing the following:

Wash your hands frequently

Regularly as well as thoroughly clean the hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap as well as water.

Why?

Washing the hands with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rub kills viruses that may be on one’s hands.

Maintain social distancing

Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance between oneself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.

Why?

When someone coughs or sneezes they tend to spray small liquid droplets from their nose or mouth which may contain the virus. If one is too close, one can breathe in the droplets, including the COVID-19 virus if the person coughing has the disease.

Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth

Why?

Hands do touch many surfaces and can pick up viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to one’s eyes, nose or mouth. From there, the virus can enter one’s body and can make a person sick.

Practice respiratory hygiene

Make sure one, and the people around oneself, follow good respiratory hygiene. This does mean covering one’s mouth and nose with one’s bent elbow or tissue when one’s cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used tissue immediately.

Why?

Droplets spread the virus. By following good respiratory hygiene you protect the people around you from viruses such as cold, flu and COVID-19.

If one has fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early:

Stay home if one feels unwell. If a person has a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow the directions of one’s local health authority.

Why?

National, as well as local authorities, will have the most up to date information on the situation in one’s area. Calling in advance will allow the health care provider to quickly direct one to the right health facility. This will also protect oneself and also help prevent the spread of viruses as well as other infections.

Stay informed and follow the advice given by the healthcare provider

Stay informed on the latest developments about COVID-19. Follow the advice given by the healthcare provider, the national and local public health authority or the employer on how to protect oneself and others from COVID-19.
One cannot neglect Coronavirus symptoms. One must seek immediate medical attention.

Protection measures for persons who are in or have recently visited (past 14 days) areas where COVID-19 is spreading

Stay at home if one begins to feel unwell, even with mild symptoms such as headache and a slight runny nose, until one recover.

Why?

Avoiding contact with others and visits to medical facilities will indeed allow these facilities to operate more effectively and help protect others from possible COVID-19 and other viruses.

If one develops fever, cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical advice promptly as this may be due to a respiratory infection or other serious condition. Call in advance and tell the provider of any recent travel or contact with travelers. Why? Calling in advance will allow the health care provider to quickly direct oneself to the right health facility. This will also help to prevent the possible spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.